Puri, Aug. 3 (UDN): The Lokanath Temple in Puri witnessed a sea of devotees on the first Monday of the holy month of Sawan as worshippers gathered from across Odisha to seek the blessings of Lord Lokanath, a revered form of Lord Shiva. From the early hours of the morning, long queues formed outside the temple, with Kanwariyas, local residents and pilgrims patiently waiting for…
Muddy Road Forces Family to Carry Ailing Man 1 km to Ambulance in Odisha’s Malkangiri
Malkangiri, Aug. 3 (UDN): Poor road connectivity once again exposed the challenges faced by residents of remote areas in Odisha after a family in Malkangiri district was forced to carry an ailing man on their shoulders for nearly a kilometre to reach an ambulance. The incident occurred in Kenalguda village, where Adama Kabasi reportedly developed severe stomach pain and required immediate medical attention. His family…
Puri Rath Yatra Moves Towards Global Heritage Recognition as Odisha Seeks UNESCO Listing
Bhubaneswar, Aug 3 (UDN): In a significant step towards promoting Odisha’s rich cultural heritage on the global stage, Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi has urged the Centre to support the nomination of the historic Puri Rath Yatra of Lord Jagannath Temple for inclusion in the UNESCO List of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. The initiative aims to bring international recognition to one of India’s most…
President’s Odisha Visit: Ganjam Declares No-Flying Zone, Drone Operations Banned
Bhubaneswar, Aug 3 (UDN): The Ganjam district administration has imposed a No-Flying Zone ahead of the President of India’s three-day visit to Odisha, as part of enhanced security arrangements. The restrictions include a complete ban on drones, unmanned aircraft, paragliders, hot air balloons, and other aerial platforms along the President’s route from Brahmapur Railway Station to Taptapani, covering key areas on August 4 and 5.…
‘Har Har Mahadev’ in Sand: Sudarsan Pattnaik Brings Lord Shiva’s Divine Presence to Puri Beach
Puri, Aug 3 (UDN): The spiritual fervour of Sawan Monday came alive at Puri Beach as internationally acclaimed sand artist and Padma Shri awardee Sudarsan Pattnaik created a magnificent sand sculpture dedicated to Lord Shiva, with the powerful message of devotion — “Har Har Mahadev.” Pic Credit: https://x.com/sudarsansand The iconic sand artist crafted an impressive 8-foot-long sand sculpture of Lord Shiva, attracting a large gathering…
Fresh Rainfall Spell Likely Across Odisha for Next Four Days; IMD Issues Yellow Warning
Bhubaneswar, Aug 3 (UDN): Odisha is expected to witness a fresh spell of rainfall over the next four days under the influence of an active monsoon system, according to the latest update from the India Meteorological Department (IMD). The Bhubaneswar Meteorological Centre has issued a yellow warning for several parts of the state, cautioning residents about the possibility of thunderstorms, lightning, and heavy rainfall activity during…
Fire Breaks Out at Clothing and Thread Storage Warehouse in Patrapada; Short Circuit Suspected
Bhubaneswar, Aug 3 (UDN): A major fire broke out at a clothing and thread storage warehouse in the Patrapada area of Bhubaneswar on Monday morning, triggering a massive firefighting operation. The incident was reported at around 9:00 a.m., after thick smoke was seen rising from the warehouse. Local residents immediately alerted the Fire and Emergency Services Department, following which multiple firefighting teams were rushed to…
Sambalpur: Two More Gates of Hirakud Dam Closed; Water Released Through 17 Gates
Sambalpur, Aug 3 (UDN): The Hirakud Dam authorities have closed two more sluice gates as inflows into the reservoir continue to recede, marking a gradual easing of the flood situation in the Mahanadi basin. With the latest adjustment, floodwater is now being released through 17 gates of the dam. According to the latest reservoir update, the Hirakud Dam is currently receiving an inflow of 107,694 cusecs,…
Commissionerate Police Distribute Reflective Jackets to Kanwariyas, Tighten Safety Measures for Shravan Pilgrimage
Cuttack, Aug. 3 (UDN): To enhance the safety of Kanwariyas undertaking the annual Shravan pilgrimage, the Bhubaneswar-Cuttack Commissionerate Police on Sunday launched a special road safety initiative by distributing reflective jackets and reflective tapes to devotees collecting holy water from the Mahanadi Ghat in Cuttack. The move is aimed at improving the visibility of pilgrims travelling during the night and early morning hours, thereby reducing…
Floods Trigger Surge in Snake Sightings Across Odisha, Authorities Urge Caution
Bhubaneswar, Aug. 3 (UDN): With large parts of Odisha reeling under floodwaters, the risk of human-snake encounters has risen sharply as inundated habitats force reptiles to seek shelter in residential and public spaces. Wildlife experts and rescue volunteers have warned that snakes displaced by flooding are increasingly being found inside houses, warehouses and other structures located on higher ground. Reports indicate that the reptiles are…